Texas experts weigh in on rising beef prices amid supply shortage and higher costs

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Ga. — Beef prices have surged this year due to a combination of supply shortages and rising production costs, local experts said.

Niki Whitley, livestock specialist at Fort Valley State University, said a severe drought in Texas and surrounding states damaged the grass and pastures cattle feed on.

"Farmers had to sell their animals or their animals would die," Whitley said.

This led to a drop in the number of beef cattle available. She said it usually takes two years for a young female cow to have her first calf, and another 18 months for that calf to reach processing age.

Whitley also cited rising input costs like feed, medications, gas prices and tariffs on beef imports.

"The ban on livestock importations from Mexico also reduced supply," she said.

Whitley added